Republican, Democratic Party Briefs in Washington State Case Against Top-Two

Posted on by June 14, 2011
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The Republican Party of Washington state, and the Democratic Party of Washington state, each filed briefs with the 9th circuit on June 6, in the pending lawsuit against that state’s top-two system. Here is the Republican brief; here is the Democratic brief. Thanks to the Washington Secretary of State’s web page for the links.

Both briefs concentrate on the point that the Washington state top-two system links candidates with parties, via labels on the ballot, even though those candidates may not even be members of that party, and in any event may not have the approval of that party. The Republican brief also points out that “party preference” must be included in any advertising about any particular candidate, so if the Republican Party would want to run an ad attacking a candidate who is using the Republican label on the ballot, but whom the party believes is not a bona fide Republican, that very ad must also contradict itself by saying that candidate is a Republican.

Both briefs include reference to the evidence presented to the U.S. District Court, including evidence that even supporters of the top-two system commonly equate “party preference” with actual affiliation.

The Libertarian Party brief, which will discuss ballot access and trademark, is due June 20.

Georgia Secretary of State Elections Advisory Hearing Set for June 15 in Albany

Posted on by June 14, 2011
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On June 15, the Georgia Secretary of State’s Elections Advisory Committee will hold its third public hearing. The location is the City/County Government Center in Albany, in southwestern Georgia, at 222 Pine Avenue, Room 100. The hearing starts at 10 a.m.

The Elections Advisory Committee is holding hearings to give the public a chance to suggest improvements in Georgia election laws. The committee holds a hearing once per month. There will also be a hearing in Augusta on July 19, at the Julian Smith Building at Lake Olmstead Park, 2200 Broad Street, also at 10 a.m. Thanks to Garland Favorito for this news.

Maine Legislature Passes Bill Ending Election-Day Voter Registration

Posted on by June 14, 2011
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On June 10, the Maine legislature passed LD 1376, which ends Maine’s election-day registration procedure. Maine has had election-day registration since 1973 and has been one of eight states with that policy. It is believed that Maine is the first state that ever had election-day registration to repeal it. Governor Paul LePage has already said he will sign LD 1376.

Earlier this year, the Montana legislature also repealed election-day registration, but Governor Brian Schweitzer vetoed that bill.

It is possible a referendum petition will be launched in Maine to ask the voters if they wish to keep election-day registration. The Democratic Party and its allied interest groups probably have the capability to obtain the needed signatures.

Minor Parties Run More Legislative Candidates in New Jersey This Year Than in 2009

Posted on by June 14, 2011
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New Jersey elects its state legislators in odd years. This year, New Jersey’s active minor parties have more candidates for the Assembly (the lower house) than they did two years ago. Libertarians have candidates in four districts this year, whereas the party only had candidates in a single Assembly district in 2009. The Green Party has candidates is two districts this year, compared to only one in 2009. The Constitution Party has two candidates in one Assembly district this year, compared to no legislative candidates at all in 2009.

There are 9 independent candidates for the Assembly.

The State Senate races weren’t up in 2009. The only minor party running for a State Senate seat this year is the Constitution Party. There are 9 independent candidates for the State Senate this year.

No Socialist Party or Socialist Workers Party candidates are on the ballot in New Jersey legislative races this year, although neither party had any legislative candidates on the ballot in 2009 either. The Conservative Party of New Jersey likewise has no candidates, and appears not to exist any longer.